So Touching We were Both Teary at the End
Trip Start
Jul 11, 2011
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22
31
Trip End
Dec 31, 2011
Where I stayed
Home
What I did
Attended the Victorian Festival Parade
Northville, Michigan
Friday, September 16, 2011
Haley appears to have had a small stroke. She's sleeping and is not yet herself.
Kathy here…
A Friday night parade was the kick-off for the Northville Victorian Festival. Still acting on our southern California experiences, Mary and I planned to go downtown by 5:00P.M. for the 6:30 P.M. start of the parade. We had enough time to find parking and then go home because we forgot the camera, re-park, get money, buy a sausage from one of the local churches, and find a place to sit on Main Street. All this was before 6:00 P.M.
It was fun to meet the people next to us who wondered why anyone would ever come to Michigan from California and to watch the street begin to fill. While Main Street was still waiting for the parade, groups of teenagers walked by in the usual tradition of trying to see who else was there and to be see or to sell us their fundraising products. Children positioned themselves for front row seats so they could get the candy thrown by parade walkers and families set up chairs or just found places on the curb. We were on the south part of Main Street where the end of the parade was but we could still hear the band as the parade began.
As soon as the front of the parade could be seen everyone stood up to get a good view and the fun began. There is nothing like hearing a band in person and the Northville High School band was loud and seemed to go one forever. The costumes were great and the parasol routines by the Uptown Ladies and the Suffragettes rivaled anything you would see in the Pasadena Do-Dah Parade. About four or five elementary schools carried banners and walked with students, teachers, and parents joining in. (Don't forget their dogs, said Mary)
It was a very touching sort of Norman Rockwell event that concluded with young tap dancers performing in the town square. What a great way to begin the fall season! Next weekend, the corn maze opens at Maybury Farm! Yipppeeee. We’re off to get fresh apple cider and spice donuts or potato chips by Michiganders. Ciao!
Comments
First let me say I am sorry to hear about Haley's malaise. My dog Freckles has little seizures now and then. I hope recovery is fast and full. I couldn't help but laugh with you about being early to the parade. I do this all the time when I'm in Rhode Island. I'm dressed and ready with plenty of time to kill! And then whoosh, ten minutes to wherever we are going! AND sometimes WE WALK to wherever we are going! LOL I saw a lot of tall, short, and middle-size people there. Is it safe to say then that there is a lot of diversity? (rhetorical question) It looks like a fine time. I can see the gears in Mary's head thinking, 'How can I get me one of those Victorian Ladies' costumes and be in next year's parade!
So sorry about Haley,I wish she gets well very soon.Thank you for million amazing pictures that made me smile all day.Take care.Manee
consider being parasol ladies next year. Looks like fun. when can we come visit? I told Kent we need to go so I can imagine you in your place from first hand experience.